Hurricane Preparedness
Preventive Maintenance
Contact your Agent for a periodic review of your insurance coverage to ensure you have the right amount of protection should you ever need to rebuild after a storm.
Research the current building code requirements for high-wind regions to determine if your property complies. Structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes of high-wind provisions run a better risk of surviving violent winds associated with a hurricane.
Trim trees and shrubbery. Cut all weak branches and trees that might possibly fall on a home or building.
When replacing existing windows, consider installing impact resistant window systems.
Install impact-resistant shutters which can be closed over existing windows to reduce the risk of glass breakage.
Patio doors or sliding glass doors are extremely susceptible to damage from high winds. When building new or replacing patio doors, use impact-resistant doors made of laminated glass, a combination of plastic and glass or plastic glazing.
Garage doors should be examined by a qualified inspector to determine if they need to be replaced with stronger type or have permanent wood or metal stiffeners installed.
Check the end wall of all gable roofs to ensure they are braced properly against damaging wind.
If you are installing a new roof , hire a qualified contractor who will take the appropriate steps to ensure the new roof covering and sheathing it is attached to will be able to resist high wind damage.
